Angioplasty and stenting of arteries can save lives, but much too often the procedures are unnecessary

Sugar & spice

“W” might not know it, but cardiology centers around the country were probably cheering his recent angioplasty.

Because if a former U.S. president has an angioplasty, then it must be safe enough for an average Joe, right?

So when your doctor recommends it, well…you may as well just take a shuttle to the nearest OR.

And believe me, that’s exactly what they hope you’ll do. They’ll tell you it’s just a routine procedure, done hundreds of times a day…But here’s the harsh reality: That’s hundreds of times too many.

And President Bush’s story made headlines right when hospitals around the country are coming under fire for this very fact.

The truth is, angioplasties are only a sure bet when it comes to making money…

Insurance companies aren’t willing to take the risk when it comes heart procedures. It’s like a guaranteed rubber stamp: PAID. So it’s all too easy for a hospital to send in the bill and rake in the profits…to the tune of $12 billion a year, no less. That’s right…BILLION with a B.

That might be understandable if angioplasties were actually necessary or a sure bet for preventing heart attacks, but you guessed it — they’re not.

Your risk. Their reward.

Just last year, Floridians learned that heart doctors in their state ripped off thousands of patients with unnecessary cardiac procedures. And this wasn’t some rogue heart practice with a few doctors. It occurred in the largest for-profit hospital chain in the U.S.

Investigators said angioplasty was completely unnecessary in more than 40% of cases.

A few years ago, another health care system paid out more than $50 million to settle allegations of unnecessary cardiac procedures in California. And earlier this year, a hospital in Ohio agreed to a similar settlement.

Ohio. Florida. California. Doctors from these and just about every other state scamming Medicare and bilking the system for billions.

And that’s billions we can’t afford TODAY. Now imagine this: With Obamacare forcing us to pay for health insurance for everyone, you can bet it’s only going to happen more and more as hospitals find new customers to scare into these procedures…and new government accounts to bill.

And believe it or not, that’s not even the worst of it. These unnecessary procedures often produce dangerous complications. So they’re actually putting lives at risk just to rip-off the system and jack up their profits.

And their fear tactics are working. In one survey, nearly 9 in 10 patients said they believed angioplasty reduced heart attack risk. Almost three-quarters said they believed they would have had a heart attack within five years without it.

But what do cardiologists say?

More than 60% said they used angioplasty simply to relieve symptoms. Nothing more.

But MOST amazing… When asked hypothetically, if angioplasty provided ZERO benefits what they would do…more than 40% of the doctors said they would STILL perform the procedure.

How could they possibly justify such wildly irresponsible malpractice!? I guess when their cut of that $12 billion finds its way to their bank accounts, it must get a little easier…

They’re literally robbing patients. They’re defrauding Medicare. And they’re putting your heart at risk with a procedure that likely isn’t even necessary!

So if your doc tells you that you NEED an angioplasty don’t let anything he says scare you.

First, ask him how many he’s performed in the past year. If the number is high, find another doctor. But either way, INSIST on a second opinion. And maybe a third. Until you find a doctor that doesn’t perform angioplasties like he’s hitting golf balls. Make sure it’s about your health and not his bottom line.

Sources:
“U.S. Settles Accusations That Doctors Overtreated” Reed Abelson, New York Times, 1/4/13, nytimes.com

“Hospital Chain Inquiry Cited Unnecessary Cardiac Work” Reed Abelson and Julie Creswell, New York Times, 8/6/13, nytimes.com

“Drug Therapy More Cost-Effective than Angioplasty for Diabetic Patients with Heart Disease” Science Centric, 11/18/09, sciencecentric.com

“Patients’ and Cardiologists’ Perceptions of the Benefits of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Stable Coronary Disease” Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 153, No. 5, 9/7/10, annals.org